Mark 1 · Verse 23

Mark 1:23

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:23, King James Version

Mark 1:23 in other translations

BSBSuddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue:
WEBImmediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
ASVAnd straightway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
YLTAnd there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
DARBYAnd there was in their synagogue a man possessed by an unclean spirit, and he cried out
BBEAnd there was in their Synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he gave a cry,
WebsterAnd there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

What does Mark 1:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit--literally, "in an unclean spirit"--that is, so entirely under demoniacal power that his personality was sunk for the time in that of the spirit. The frequency with which this character of "impurity" is ascribed to evil spirits--some twenty times in the Gospels--is not to be overlooked. and he cried out--as follows:

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. A man with an unclean spirit. See Mt 4:24. It is probable that this man had lucid intervals, or he would not have been admitted into the synagogue. While there, one of his fits came on, and he suddenly cried out.

(v) "And there was" Lk 4:33.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 A man with an unclean spirit - This demoniac is only mentioned by Mark and Luke, Luk 4:33. It seems the man had lucid intervals; else he could not have been admitted into the synagogue. Unclean or impure spirit - a common epithet for those fallen spirits: but here it may mean, one who filled the heart of him he possessed with Lascivious thoughts, images, desires, and propensities. By giving way to the first attacks of such a spirit, he may soon get in, and take full possession of the whole soul.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 1:23-28
The devil is an unclean spirit, because he has lost all the purity of his nature, because he acts in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit of God, and by his suggestions defiles the spirits of men. There are many in our assemblies who quietly attend under merely formal teachers; but if the Lord come with faithful ministers and holy doctrine, and by his convincing Spirit, they are ready to say, like this man, What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth! No disorder could enable a man to know Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He desires to have nothing to do with Jesus, for he despairs of being saved by him, and dreads being destroyed by him. See whose language those speak, that say to the Almighty, Depart from us. This unclean spirit hated and dreaded Christ, because he knew him to be a Holy One; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, especially against his holiness. When Christ by his grace delivers souls out of the hands of Satan, it is not without tumult in the soul; for that spiteful enemy will disquiet those whom he cannot destroy. This put all who saw it upon considering, What is this new doctrine? A work as great often is wrought now, yet men treat it with contempt and neglect. If this were not so, the conversion of a notorious wicked man to a sober, righteous, and godly life, by the preaching of a crucified Saviour, would cause many to ask, What doctrine is this?

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Mark 1:23 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
εὐθὺςeuthusimmediatelyG2112
ἦνēnthere wasG1510
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēatheG3588
συναγωγῇsunagōgēasynagogueG4864
αὐτῶνautōnof themG846
ἄνθρωποςanthrōposa manG444
ἐνenwithG1722
πνεύματιpneumatia spiritG4151
ἀκαθάρτῳakathartōuncleanG169
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀνέκραξενanekraxenhe cried outG349

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 1:23

  • Mark 9:25

    When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

  • Mark 1:34

    And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

  • Mark 5:2

    And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

  • Matthew 12:43

    When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

  • Mark 7:25

    For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

  • Luke 4:33-37

    And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
a man.
34; 5:2; 7:25; 9:25; Mt 12:43; Lu 4:33-37

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 1:22

    And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

  • Mark 1:23

    And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

  • Mark 1:24

    Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Read all of Mark 1

Mark 1:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y había en la sinagoga de ellos un hombre con espíritu inmundo, el cual dió voces,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et il y avait dans leur synagogue un homme possédé d’un esprit immonde; et il s’écria,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und es war in ihrer Synagoge ein Mensch mit einem unreinen Geiste; und er schrie auf
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et erat in synagoga eorum homo in spiritu immundo: et exclamavit,